“…….”
I was too busy clutching my pounding chest to notice that he was repeating what I’d said.
“What does ‘f××k’ mean?”
When Siegfried tilted his head and asked, I couldn’t hide my shock. Judging from his reaction, it was clearly a word he had never heard before.
…What the hell did I just teach the male lead?
I had no choice but to clamp my hand over Siegfried’s mouth as he continued muttering “f××k” over and over like a mantra.
“Uh, Your Highness! That’s a bad word. A prince shouldn’t say things like that.”
“……”
Siegfried furrowed his brows, suspicious. That look was unmistakably saying, ‘You’re the one who said it first—what nonsense are you spouting now?’
“If it’s a bad word, why did you say it?”
He pulled down my hand as he asked. I had no retort. He was right.
“Uh, b-but why are you staring at me like that? You’re going to bore a hole in my face.”
So I just decided to change the subject entirely.
But Siegfried wasn’t just leaning in close—he had grabbed hold of my sleeve and was pulling me toward him. I was halfway upright, caught in the middle, looking at him awkwardly.
“Your Highness?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
He quickly shook his head. He must’ve grabbed me without realizing. He was visibly flustered, enough that his violet eyes wavered.
“It’s okay. You can tell me.”
“N-no, really. It’s nothing. My hand just moved on its own.”
As he said that, he let go of my sleeve. He looked puzzled as he opened and closed his hand repeatedly.
“Ah! Don’t do that. I just wrapped it with a handkerchief!”
Clicking my tongue, I took his hand and gently covered it. When I curled his fingers into a fist, he lifted his head and looked at me.
Wow, he looks even more beautiful up close. His violet eyes sparkled like amethysts. They were more beautiful than any gemstone I had ever seen.
“You’re really handsome…”
I couldn’t stop myself from saying it out loud.
I stared into his deep eyes, entranced. Then, as if startled, Siegfried pulled his hand away and stepped back. He opened and closed his mouth a few times before speaking like he had made a big decision.
“…Not something I’d expect to hear from you.”
“Does that mean you do think I’m pretty?”
“……”
“Hm?”
“N-not exactly what I said…”
“But I am pretty, aren’t I?”
I tilted my head as I asked. I needed to hear a clear answer. It had honestly hurt when he first said my face was unpleasant to look at.
As he stepped back, I stepped a little closer. A flush began to creep up his ears. And no, it didn’t look like it was from the sunset.
Wait. Does he have zero immunity to women? No way. A prince? Really? …Then again, maybe.
He was clearly flustered.
“Weren’t you going to leave?”
“Not until I get my answer.”
“Just go already.”
Siegfried practically kicked me out. So much for thinking we’d grown closer.
I reluctantly stood up. This time, he didn’t try to stop me.
Back in my room, I sat in front of the vanity and brushed my hair. My golden blonde waves fell down to the middle of my back like honey.
My peach-colored eyes blinked slowly. I plucked a golden eyelash from beneath my eye and smiled in satisfaction.
“Oh no. I’m too pretty.”
I had to admit, I was definitely a beauty. Fair skin, delicate and well-balanced features, and I especially liked how the corners of my lips curled up naturally, like I was always smiling.
How could Siegfried say my face was unpleasant? No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t forget it.
I kept admiring my reflection until I realized the sky outside had already gone dark. Startled, I sprang up and began rummaging through the dressing room. I was planning to go out for the first time in a while tonight.
I put on an old dress and shoes I had hidden so the maids wouldn’t find them, and slipped out into the dim hallway. If I got caught sneaking out this late, I’d be in trouble. I tiptoed my way out of the estate.
After hopping the wall, I arrived at a tavern in town. I liked the lively atmosphere here and often went on these little night strolls.
“I’ll have the usual.”
I winked at the tavern owner.
As I fished around in my pocket, it suddenly hit me—I’d forgotten my wallet. I’d been too busy admiring my face to remember it. What was I even thinking?
“Oh no. I don’t have any money. Can I run a tab?”
“You’re a regular. And if you’re the count’s maid, I think that’s a solid enough guarantee!”
The tavern owner laughed heartily and motioned for me to sit down. I nodded, figuring I could pay him back next time. But just then, someone silently appeared behind me and placed money on the counter.
“I’ll pay. Order whatever you’d like.”
“Really? Then can I get the whole bottle?”
I turned in delight. A silver-haired man was looking down at me.
“Thanks, I’ll drink well.”
“How expensive can one drink be?”
“I am drinking the whole bottle.”
Why was he laughing? I raised an eyebrow. He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe me.
“Go ahead. On one condition—keep me company.”
He said it with a soft smile. Well, that wasn’t too hard. I asked him,
“Sure. Your name?”
“Killian Ifression. And you?”
“Ariel—wait, no, Elia.”
“Ariel it is.”
“No, it’s Elia.”
I’d meant to use a fake name with a stranger, but I slipped up and couldn’t lie properly. He clearly didn’t believe me.
“Nice to meet you, Ariel.”
“It’s Elia.”
“Then how about Arielia?”
“That’s not funny.”
“People tell me that a lot.”
Well, at least he was aware. I accepted the bottle from the tavern owner and sat down with Killian.
“You’re not from around here, are you?”
“What gave it away?”
“Your accent?”
“Ah, makes sense.”
Killian shrugged. Then, as if something had just occurred to him, he asked,
“I heard you’re a maid at the count’s estate?”
He must’ve overheard the tavern owner. In truth, I was the count’s daughter. But when sneaking out, I always posed as a commoner to avoid trouble.
“Yeah, the young lady there is such a stickler.”
“Really? I heard she’s a real beauty. Just like you, Arielia.”
“Well, I guess I’m not bad-looking myself.”
I said with a shrug, playing it cool. Killian’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“Speaking of which, I heard an important guest has been staying at the estate lately.”
Huh? How does he know that? He’s clearly an outsider. I frowned slightly but forced a casual smile.
“You sure seem curious about the count’s estate.”
“Affairs of the nobility are the biggest gossip among us commoners.”
Killian poured me a drink like it was nothing. As I fiddled with the glass, he asked again,
“But is it okay for you to be out this late?”
“Oh, as long as I don’t get caught, it’s fine.”
“Hm. I heard the estate has tight security. Is there a secret tunnel or something?”
Why is this guy so interested in the estate? Most people get curious when I say I work there, but they don’t ask this kind of thing.
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore.”
I sipped my drink, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.
Killian seemed to take the hint and stopped asking about the estate.
We chatted about other things, and before long, the bottle was nearly empty. I couldn’t even hide the yawns anymore. That’s when Killian made a suggestion.
“Shall we head out? You seem tired.”
“I’m not drunk, but it is getting late. I’ll get going.”
I declined the hand he offered. Maybe I was a little too blunt—he gave me a sheepish smile.
“It’s late. Let me walk you home.”
“It’s fine. I live nearby.”
“Still—”
“Clingy guys aren’t attractive.”
“…Well, can’t argue with that.”
Disappointment flickered across Killian’s face before fading.
“Take care. The night roads can be dangerous.”
He said as we stepped outside. I waved to reassure him, and he waved back with a grin. He’s not going to follow me, is he? I turned to leave—
—and heard a soft thud behind me as something dropped from Killian’s coat.
“What was that?”
I bent down and picked up the rolled-up paper. Killian reached out in a hurry.
“Please, give that back.”
“What is it?”
Curious, I opened it—halfway undone already—and froze in shock.
Why does he have this?
The paper showed a sketch of a boy—with jet-black hair and a teardrop mole under his left eye.
